Folding stretcher



(No Model.)

R. A. DUNN. FOLDING STRETOHER.

No. 558,550. Patented Apr. 21', 1896.

NITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

ROBERT ALEXANDER DUNN, OF MOKEESPORT, PENNSYLVANIA.

FOLDING STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 558,550, dated April21, 1896.

Application filed January 1 8 1 8 95.

T at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, ROBERT ALEXANDER DUNN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at McKeesport, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFolding Stretchers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled. in the art to which it pertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form apart of this specification.

My invention relates to an improved folding stretcher; and it consistsof certain details of construction and combination of parts, as will befully described hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of animproved stretcher which is constructed and arranged in accordance withmy invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the stretcher folded tooccupy but little space. Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view of the same.Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailed side elevation of the rear end of thestretcher, showing the same in section and the arrangement of thebraces.

To put my invention into practice I provide an oblong or rectangularframe 1 of a suitable size and form of construction, and stretch acanvas or other fabric 2 over the same to form the bed and attachthe-said canvas rigidly to the frame 1. This frame 1 is supported at thefront and rear by means of legs 3, each of which is attached to theframe 1, by means of pivoted braces at and 5, in a manner that the saidlegs may be folded beneath the stretcher, as shown at Figs. 2 and 3. Oneof the braces 5 of each leg is formed to project some distance from theleg and thereby form handles 6, by means of which the stretcher may becarried from place to place. The legs 3 are extended upward to form headand foot sections. Arranged at the head of the stretcher is a head-rest8,

Serial No. 535,328. (No model.)

made adjustable by means of slots 9, formed in the head-sections,together with clamps and set-screws 11. Connected to the top of each ofthe head and foot sections is a crosspiece 12, to which a cord 13 isconnected to hold the parts in position, as shown at Fig. 1 on thedrawings. This frame 1 is divided at the center and hinged together in amanner that will permit the bed to be further folded from the positionshown at Fig. 2. Arranged beneath the canvas 2 are a series of pockets14, in which blankets and other useful articles may be placed to be usedwhen necessary.

Having thus described my invention,'what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is

1. In a folding stretcher, the combination of the frame, the front andrear legs extended above to form head and foot sections, with the uppercross bars or pieces of the head and foot sections connected together,the two sets of braces for each of the front and rear legs, each bracebeing pivoted to said frame and each four or set of braces being pivotedto each pair of legs, and two braces of each set being formed orterminating in handles, said legs having no other connection with saidframe, substantially as set forth.

2. In a folding stretcher, the combination, with the frame and its legs,the legs at the head extended above to form ahead-section, of thehead-rest having clamp-bolts passing through the normally upper ends ofits side pieces and through vertical slots in the headsection andapertured clamp-plates engaging said head-section, and fitted with nutsbearing against said plates, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I hereunto affix my signaturethis 3d day of September, A. D. 1894..

ROBERT ALEXANDER DUNN. [L. s]

In presence of M. E. HARRISON, JAS. J. MCAFEE.

